Prehistory of the Americas 2ed
Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2, 8/21/2008
EAN 9780521425445, ISBN10: 0521425441
Paperback, 424 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 x 2.4 cm
Language: English
Fiedel's book exploring the development of the prehistoric cultures of North, Central and South America from about 10,000 BC to AD 1530 has been updated to include discussion of recent discoveries and analyses of their implications. Prehistory of the Americas examines archaeological evidence of the earliest human migration from Asia to the New World; the rapid expansion of Paleo-Indian hunters; the adaptations of archaic hunter-gatherers to post-Ice Age life; the origins and spread of farming and village life; and the rise and fall of chiefdoms and states. The author describes how different regions in the New World evolved, affected by a variety of factors ranging from technological developments to climate change. He compares the evolution of New World prehistory with that of Old World cultures. Discussion of the development of American archaeology, from the early European encounters with native Americans to the 'new' archaeology, is also included.
1. The development of American archaeology
a brief review
2. From Africa to Siberia
early human migrations in the old world
3. The Paleo-Indians
4. The archaic
post-Pleistocene foragers
5. The origins of agriculture and village life
6. Chiefdoms and states
the emergence of complex societies
7. Parallel worlds.
'This well-written book covers a very large number of topics in New World prehistory ... enjoys the author's considerable familiarity with the areas he discusses.' William S. Laughlin, Annals of Human Biology